Alphabetical file arrangement is arranged according to which criterion?

• A. The last name of the defendant.
• B. The date of birth.
• C. The court docket number.
• D. The filing cabinet color.

Answer: (A)

Alphabetical file arrangement uses the last name of the person involved as the primary identifier. This keeps records easily searchable because last names are the most consistent and widely used identifier across multiple cases and documents. In a municipal court setting, files are typically labeled and sorted by surname so staff and the public can quickly find the correct file by scanning the alphabet.

Using the date of birth would not reliably distinguish records; many people share the same birth date, and birth dates aren’t the primary way cases are identified. A court docket number is a case-tracking identifier assigned after filing and is less practical for everyday filing or locating physical files. The color of the filing cabinet is arbitrary and does not reflect the information within the files, so it offers no logical method for organization.